Seoul not notified in advance of Trump's order to scale back drills: FM Cho

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated on Wednesday that the government was not notified in advance of U.S. President Donald Trump's directive to reduce joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. Cho told the National Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs and Unification that neither government officials nor U.S. counterparts were aware of Trump's recent statements on his Truth Social platform regarding the exercise scaling.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back was reportedly engaged in close consultations with U.S. counterparts regarding the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise reduction. Cho emphasized that the defense minister's involvement in discussions precluded the exercise reduction from being considered a unilateral notification. He also expressed that Washington should not utilize the exercise reduction as justification for further delaying the planned transfer of wartime operational control, as the drills were being scaled back at the U.S.'s request.

Cho hinted at a potential summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this fall, stating that a successful meeting would mark a significant turning point. South Korea has been actively preparing for dialogue with North Korea, and the government will work closely with the U.S. to seize this opportunity, Cho noted. The ministry has sought details on a recent exchange between Washington and Pyongyang, and Cho affirmed that his ministry would promptly take necessary measures through consultations with relevant U.S. agencies to ensure that the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains strong.